BIG! - Francesco Di Giacomo Award

An award for the music of tomorrow

BIG! - Francesco Di Giacomo Award is the national competition dedicated to emerging Italian bands, created to preserve and promote the artistic legacy of Francesco Di Giacomo, the unmistakable voice of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and a central figure in Italian progressive and singer-songwriter music. The award takes place in the City of Rome, capital of the Lazio Region, and has found its natural home in the Metropolitan City of Rome: the second edition arrives at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, in the Flaminio district, one of the most important musical complexes in Europe.

How the competition works

Participation is free and open to all bands, with or without previous albums, provided they are free from contractual obligations. Each registered group submits two original compositions with their own lyrics and music: one song in Italian and one in any other language, whether foreign, minority, or dialect. This is a deliberate choice, reflecting Di Giacomo's openness to every form of expression and to music that embraces cross-pollination.

A jury composed of journalists, artists, and music industry professionals selects six finalist bands, who are then invited to perform live. The challenge that makes BIG! unique is the tribute: each finalist must arrange and perform a song from Francesco Di Giacomo's solo repertoire or the Banco del Mutuo Soccorso catalog, while respecting the integrity of the original lyrics. It is an exercise in listening and respect, even before technical skill.

The prizes

• First place: production of an EP of 4-5 tracks, worth 5,000 euros
• Second place: production of a single with a music video, worth 2,500 euros
• Third place: production of a single, worth 1,000 euros

The prizes are offered by the ZdB label and translate into tangible production services: not a symbolic check, but a concrete opportunity for an emerging band to enter a studio and release music with professional support.

The spirit of Francesco Di Giacomo

Francesco Di Giacomo (1947-2014) was the voice of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, the iconic Italian progressive rock band, for over forty years. His persona, his beard, and his powerful timbre remain etched in the memories of generations of listeners. The award that bears his name is not a nostalgic exercise: it looks forward, seeking creative and original groups capable of carrying on his lesson of compositional freedom. The artistic direction is entrusted to Andrea Satta, lead singer of Têtes de Bois, with coordination by Antonella Caspoli.

The final evenings

The finals are true concert events, open to the public and enriched by the presence of guests from the Italian music scene. The first edition featured performances by Gianni Nocenzi (founder of the Banco), Petra Magoni, Peppe Servillo, and Patrizio Fariselli, among others, while the Resident BIG! Band — composed of musicians who collaborated with Francesco Di Giacomo — accompanied both evenings. A format that combines the discovery of new talent with the storytelling of a still-vibrant Italian musical history.

Rome and the emerging scene

By hosting the award at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome confirms its role as a platform for live music and new generations of musicians. The Flaminio district, nestled between the MAXXI museum and the complex designed by Renzo Piano, offers finalist bands a stage of national importance: for many groups, this is their first performance in a venue of this caliber, in front of industry professionals and an attentive audience.